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When you're three years old, trash trucks are better than TV.

Surprise Meeting

There was a night last week when I slipped into my room shortly after midnight. I was feeling rather proud of myself for getting to bed earlier than I have been, and yes, I know it was still too late. I was being as quiet as I could so as not to wake up Topher in his tent. As I silently closed the door behind me, I stepped toward the tent, ready to use the light on my phone to check on Topher.

But that wasn't necessary on this night. As soon as I was in the room, a totally-awake-and-standing Topher called out to me, "Oh! Hiya Mom! What are you doing here?"

I did not get to sleep shortly after midnight.

Superheroes: The Answers

Thanks to those that voted in our superhero guessing game. Some of you were spot on with your guesses. And now, the artist reveal:

Superman # 1 - Phoebe

Superman # 2 - Sophie

Superman # 3 - Cooper

Superman # 4 - Peter

Thanks for playing!

Through the Lens

Cooper has been enjoying our walks, in part because I let him use my phone to take pictures. I think he's got quite the artistic eye. Here are a few of my favorites from last week.

You Can Have Both

A few days ago Peter and Cooper were discussing something about brothers. They pointed out to Topher that they each have two brothers and that Bryan has four brothers. Topher shook his head and refused to believe them. Perplexed, the big boys assured Topher that they were his brothers.

Somewhat exasperated, Topher let out a sigh and explained, "I don't have brothers. I have Emmas!"

He does, in fact, have two cousins named Emma, one on each side of the family.

Eyes On Me

We discovered a lovely exercise trail and nature walk at a nearby park. We've been to the playground several times over the years, but this week is the first time we've ventured to the other side of the park. The kids all thought it was so magical that we went on both Tuesday and Wednesday and explored.

One of the pieces of workout equipment next to the trail was a balance beam. The kids enjoyed walking back and forth on it, and as they all balanced carefully, I had an idea for a picture. They were already lined up in age order, so I pulled out my camera and asked them to look at me.

This is what I got.

I suspect this was planned, but I did not overhear the organization of it. Out of all the pictures I took, I didn't get a single one with everyone smiling, so I'm posting this one instead. At least they're all unified in their solemnity. For height reference, Cooper is currently about an inch shorter than me. He's catching up quickly. Phoebe isn't too far behind.

Taller

One evening this week Topher and I sat just outside of the kitchen and watched while Bryan prepared dinner. That's when the following conversation took place:

Topher: (deep in concentration) You're not big.

Me: I'm not big?

Topher: No.

Me: Who is big?

Topher: (thoughtful, watching Bryan) Daddy.

Me: Yes, Daddy is tall, you're right.

Topher: I'm going taller.

Me: You are? How tall are you?

Topher: (pauses, contemplating his answer) Fifteen.

In case you were wondering how tall Topher is, he's fifteen. Fifteen what, you ask? I'm not sure, but if I find out I'll let you know.

Superheroes: A Guessing Game

On Monday the big kids followed a tutorial on how to draw Superman. I think they all did a great job. They asked if I would post their drawings because they want you lovely readers to guess who the artist is for each one.

Who's up for a guessing game?

Superman # 1

Superman # 2

Superman # 3 (Yes, it really did start as Superman, then was reworked to be Doctor Strange.)

Superman # 4

Good luck to all our players! I'll post the answers a week from today.

I Scream, You Scream

Sunday was National Ice Cream Day, so of course we celebrated!

Yes, Cooper intentionally made that face, in every single picture.

That Which We Persist In Doing

Remember when I was learning to French braid and it was super stressful and I had no idea what I was doing? Sophie asked me to braid her hair yesterday before our church broadcast. Then Phoebe wanted her hair done too. I didn't feel like my head was going to explode even once during the process, I didn't have to repeatedly remind them to stay still, and I never pulled their hair tight enough to prompt complaints.

That, my friends, is progress.

The Little One Said, "Roll Over! I'm Crowded!"

While we watched The Lego Movie as a family tonight, Topher came and squeezed into the small space between me and Peter. We thought he wanted to snuggle. In fact, he just wanted the seat. As soon as he was in position he called out, "Hey guys! I'm squished here!" 

We made some room.

Summer Days

"I took pictures of everybody doing their daily thing so you could have a blog post." -Phoebe

I took a picture of her as well, for good measure.

The Day After

Today was better than yesterday for the following reasons:

• I slept for 8 (mildly interrupted) hours last night instead of the 5 or 6 I've been getting.
• I got to shower this morning.
• Phoebe and Sophie, knowing how stressed I was yesterday, got up and did chores and put away laundry without being asked.
• Most of the kids tried really hard not to argue when asked to be helpful throughout the day.
• All the kids went to bed on-time tonight.

The combination of sleep, cleanliness, and agreeableness really are quite magical.

The Long and Short of It

I've heard many people, when speaking of the job of raising children, say, "The days are long but the years are short."

If that's true then this is going to be the shortest year ever because these days are looooooooong.

All the Snuggles

Party On

Yesterday Sophie decided that she wanted to have a tea party. She gathered all the tea party toys she could find, put together some snacks, and invited everyone. We enjoyed crackers, cheese, French onion dip, and imagination tea (hot water, so we could each imagine our favorite flavor). Topher especially loved that the party included an absorbent tablecloth; I think the cloth got more of his water than he did.

The Handshakes

What do you do with your free time in the summer? Why, make up not-so-secret handshakes, of course.

Danger Zone

As I was helping Topher change out of his pajamas one morning recently he gave me the following caution: "Don't touch my elbows. My elbows are dangerous."

You've been warned.

Life Skills

Sophie decided yesterday that she wanted to learn how to make a grilled cheese sandwich. In her words, "Mom, I'm seven, that means I'm old enough to know how to make a grilled cheese sandwich." I agreed, then showed her how. She made sandwiches for everyone that would have one.

1776

We had a very nice, calm, stay-at-home-and-attend-church-meetings-via-the-internet kind of Independence Day. Bryan made a delicious steak dinner with home-prepared potato wedges, corn on the cob, watermelon, and cherry pie. I don't have pictures of any of that, nor do I have pictures of Bryan and the big boys in red and blue ties, or of the older four going outside with me to watch the fireflies (nature's fireworks), or of us crowding around the girls' window to watch actual fireworks.

What I do have a picture of is our attempt to watch 1776 with the kids. 

I love this musical. The music is inspiring and the message stirring. It also has a rather surprising amount of mild (by today's standards) cursing. The kids were not at all okay with that. They announced the movie had too many bad words and was boring. I ruffled at the boring comment, but agreed about the language. So we turned it off and watched An American Tail: Fievel Goes West instead. That fits for the Fourth of July, right?

Word Choice

Peter plays music from his phone nearly all the time. When I've reached my limit, I ask that he use his headphones. I like the songs he listens to, it just gets really overwhelming with several people talking plus music plus whatever other active sounds are happening. But for this story it's important to know that Peter loves to have music playing wherever he is.

He turned on one of his playlists a few days ago. It was a song that we're familiar with. Sophie heard it and wistfully said, "This song gives me...amnesia."

She meant nostalgia.

Four Times Ten, Plus One

I turned 41 on Sunday. Why does 41 sound younger than 40? Does it feel that way to anyone else? Seeing the one after the four is somehow not as intimidating as seeing the zero behind, well, any other number.

It was a good day. My first birthday treat was that Bryan fed the kids breakfast while I took a long shower. Then I used one of the face masks that my sister-in-law Leah gave me for my birthday last year. I decided to startle the kids and show them my gold face (thanks to Bryan for getting this picture), then I startled myself a bit when I couldn't get the mask off. I figured it out eventually.

Virtual church was calm, then I spent some time sitting at the piano trying to teach my brain and my fingers to work together, an activity I don't often have time for. Then, once Topher was up from his nap, it was time for presents.

This ended up being the unintentional plant birthday, which I think is rather delightful.

Bryan spent a good chunk of his day cooking a delicious Hawaiian dinner and sugar-free cake.

Between the wonderful food, cards (virtual and physical) from the kids, calls, texts, GroupMe messages, and Facebook posts, I felt quite loved. It was a good day.